as in purr
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
we heard the hum of an outboard motor and a few minutes later the small craft came into sight
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hum
Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The five-part series follows Hall's character, an English teacher who begins hearing a mysterious low hum that nobody else can detect.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The pros at the front desk keep things humming; Club Level guests, meanwhile, can check in even faster in a dedicated lounge—or right in their suites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Noun
Even within the walls of the apartment, there was the hum of the refrigerator, the soft ticking of a radio alarm clock and the clock in the VCR, the submarine tlack of the cassette reversing in the answering machine, and other little noises.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The five-part series follows Hall's character, an English teacher who begins hearing a mysterious low hum that nobody else can detect.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
The event may not be about politics, but politics will be humming in the background regardless.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
The pros at the front desk keep things humming; Club Level guests, meanwhile, can check in even faster in a dedicated lounge—or right in their suites.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hum
Noun
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Murillo’s diagonal ball elicits audible purrs from the Peter Taylor Stand.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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This has translated into freakishly unstable songs that spin from garish wubs and witch folk to lullaby-like purrs.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In fact, levels of new housing construction have consistently fallen short, year after year, ever since the subprime housing bubble burst almost two decades ago.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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Sliding into spring, the toppings become lighter, fresher, and brighter bursting with mint, basil, chives, and lavender in sassy vinaigrettes and pestos.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Taylor Swift creates buzz with a chic appearance at Electric Lady Studios in New York City on June 15.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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From development around a new freeway and industrial expansion to a chef’s TV win and an eco-friendly home, the Treasure Valley is buzzing with news this June.—
Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Look for alcohol-free, subtle formulas the goal is a whisper of fragrance, not a perfume cloud that announces itself from across the room.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
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In biergartens, servers carry trays where alcohol‑free helles — a traditional pale lager — sits shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the classic stuff, no longer ordered with a whisper or judgment.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Suddenly 10 more heads surfaced, every bulging eye on us.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Not only without the ball, their were moments of real quality when Cape Verde recovered possession, zipping the ball around the Spanish pressure and often looking to play their way out with short passes into midfield.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Open the door to streets lined with trees and flecked with benches, where the bell of the light rail dings its warning as cyclists zip by on narrow roads.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Even Super Dog makes an appearance — cape, mask and all — ready to leap into action the moment a snack bag rustles.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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High in the hills near the Myanmar border, Ban Rak Thai greets the morning with the smell of oolong and the soft rustle of tea leaves.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Felipe’s Heladería hums with a nostalgic rhythm—whirring blenders, clinking spoons, and that telltale chorus of people debating toppings.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
10 Dec. 2025
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The four rotating arms on the Nebulaz ride whirred furiously like the inner workings of a clock — and made less noise than a ticking second hand on a watch.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hum. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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